Crazy tales of life in the PICU...and my life in the real world as a PICU Nurse Practitioner!

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

ICU Psychosis

ICU Psychosis is a very real thing. I see patients with it all of the time.

And I think that I've had it the entire summer. That's why I haven't blogged since May!

OK, that's most likely not the reason I haven't been blogging. In actuality I think there are a lot of reasons. My differential diagnosis (if you will : ) includes but is not limited to:

1.) It's summer...who wants to stay inside and stare at a computer when you can be outdoors and enjoy the short lasting sunshine!

2.) The amount of night shifts I'm required to do increased starting at the beginning of summer, and I feel like lately a majority of my job is spent on nights and weekends....YUCK! If I blogged about that, you'd be depressed. Because it makes me that way. And I may scare away some new grads or students who want to go into the PICU.

3.) There's just a lot going on, both in worklife and real life. And some has been fun and exciting, and others more emotional and challenging. And since I'm not one to process emotions very quickly or easily, it's best I figure that out before it spews on a page for the world to see : )

But I'm back. I started this blog as a way to document the many adventures that I had as a nurse, and now as a nurse practitioner. And I want to continue to do so. I want to retire one day, and be able to look back at the many fun and sometimes funny memories that life in the PICU brings. And even the not so fun, or downright sad memories are important because they have helped shape me into the Nurse Practitioner I am today.

So I enter the (almost) fall with a renewed energy in work, in life, and in blogging. Thanks for sticking with me during my hiatus. And to the sweet reader "Anonymous" who commented back in July to make sure I was ok...thank you! Yes, I'm ok.

I'm better than ok. And I have A LOT to catch you all up on. But rather than cramming it into one blog (because that would really turn into a mini-novel, and nobody wants that!), I will try to get you updated i
n short spurts.

So as I leave you today, all I can say is buckle up because it has been, and will continue to be, one bumpy, crazy, and most definitely adventure-filled ride on this road I call being a PICU Nurse Practitioner.

7 comments:

I start my Peds rotation this semester & I CAN'T WAIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Whether or not I love this the way I think I will is going to determine the way I go in my nurse practitioner path. I'm so excited to get there! Glad you're back, can't wait to hear about what's been going on with you!

So glad you're back! I was that anonymous who wanted to make sure you were okay. I'm happy you got to enjoy the sun when you weren't working nights and weekends. Will look forward to hearing about your fun and exciting news. And I hope the emotional and challenging stuff gets better. Thanks for sharing your PICU adventures with us future PICU (hopefully) nurses!

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About Me

I am a new PICU Nurse Practitioner working in the same PICU where I had previously been a bedside nurse for 7 years. This blog is a way for me to document the many fun, memorable, crazy things that come out of taking care of PICU patients. And occasionally I like to throw in some personal documentation of other things that I love- cooking meals with my man, drinking a great glass of wine, decorating my home, thrift shopping, high heel wearing, and traveling. This is my adventure...thank you for stopping in to enjoy the ride!
DISCLAIMER: Any stories in this blog are written to protect patient confidentiality and not violate HIPPA. Names, ages etc. have been changed. If you think that I'm talking about you, I'm not...there are tons of other patients out there that have the exact diagnosis as you, and the same loving/crazy/wonderful/stressed out/amazing/wacko parents to back them up! : )